If the valley has snow then you won't have to go very far for great views. Badger Pass has some good snow shoeing but from my experiences, there wasn't much in the form of scenery over there. Mirror Lake if frozen over can look really nice and is a great place to snap off some photos, you also get an awesome view of Half Dome.

Yeah, just hanging in the valley and checking out the normal sights is still pretty spectacular with the addition of snow. Snowshoes aren't necessary (webcams don't show that much snow on the valley floor), but some water proof snow boots are always nice.

Ice skating in Curry Village is always fun for the kiddos. Hot cocoa by the HUGE fire places at the Awahnee Hotel is nice too.

If you can find the "spider caves" on the approach to lower Yosemite Falls, that can be real fun for kids. Bring headlamps or flashlights. Don't worry, there aren't spiders. The collection of massive boulders to the left of the paved walkway to the falls are stacked in such a way in a couple places (at least) that enable you to enter one place and come out another... all while going up, down, over and between granite rocks. There are no signs for them. You either have to poke around (look for worn "paths" off the paved walkway), or ask a ranger or worker.

Was in the valley today. There's 3-6 inches of fresh powder on the valley floor, it's gorgeous everywhere.

- Hike anywhere in the valley
- If you ski/board Badger will be a blast right now.
- Cross-country ski trip out to Glacier Point would be awesome.
- Snowshoe/ski out to Dewey Pt for an epic view
- Go sledding
- Go ice skating at Curry Village
- If you have at least an AM bike with you go for a run down Sidewinder

It's been a few years since I made the trip, but we did the whole loop on bikes and it was great. Your kids might be a bit small for that. The cool thing about biking it is there are tons of little falls and you don't have to mess with parking every time you stop. The downside is people in cars are a*holes and in Yosemite is not entirely bike friendly (which is stupid but there it is).

2) Drive towards Glacier Point/Badger Pass so you can go to the vista point of that picture you have.

3) Badger Pass snowshoe hike ... 1ish hr hike with the Park Ranger. (Free! They even provide the snowshoes too! If I remember correctly, it starts @ 10 am in front of the 'A' building. Check the newsletter at the entrance!) (Get snowshoeing out if you have never done it.)

4) Drive back into the Valley and check it out.
a) Mirror Lake - starting at the Ahwahnee hotel
b) Yosemite Lodge for Yosemite Falls
c) The walkway that cuts thru the valley's meadows.

the hike for upper pines campground to Mirror lake and or Happy Isles is great even in the snow so is just messing around lower Yosemite falls. Are you camping ( tent or RV) or Hoteling ? XC skis or Snowshoes are fun [ hit up REI Saratoga to see if any snowshoe rentals are available]

Warning: Consumption of alcohol may make you think the person on the barstool next to you is attractive

So many times, the kids 'WOAHHHHHH!' That says it all right there. We did a smart thing which was give everyone a camera and set up an impromptu photo contest. The kids were so in to it. We took over 800 photos.